Andrew Collins (percussion)
Andrew got into drumming at the age of 8 after using his own pocket money to buy a second-hand drum kit, and soon started contributing as percussionist at two churches. Before long, he joined Coleraine Fife and Drum band, where he has been a regular, active member from 2002 to the present day. As part of this band, he has played a wide range of instruments, including snare drum, cymbals, glockenspiel, timpani and bass drum.
He has many strings to his bow, with his talents not restricted to percussion alone. In addition to his Grade 8 (ABRSM) in Percussion, he has attained Grade 8 certificates in Piano, Musical Theatre and Speech & Drama, and also achieved his ATCL (Hons) Diploma in Public Speaking. Additionally, he has served as Organist of Aghadowey Parish Church for the past five years. Percussion, however, is Andrew’s first love. From 2011-2012, he was invited to join the percussion section of the Ulster Youth Orchestra (UYO), with whom he played in venues such the Guildhall in Londonderry, Titanic Quarter in Belfast, and the Royal Albert Hall in London. He has attended the NEELB orchestra in Antrim each Saturday morning from 2003 to the present day, initially as a member of the percussion section and now as a mentor for other young percussionists. He joined Queen’s University Brass Band in 2011, and became a member of Downshire Brass Band in 2012. Over the past two years, he has also ably assisted with percussion in Kellswater Flute Band in Ballymena.
Andrew is currently employed as a full-time drum kit tutor in two local primary schools, where he teaches over 30 pupils on a weekly basis. When he gets a spare moment away from musical commitments, Andrew enjoys cycling, eating good food and disassembling old cars!